RESPIRATION

It is the process by which energy is generated from the breaking down of carbohydrates in living cells.
Types of respiration.
 Aerobic
 Anaerobic

Aerobic respiration
The release of relatively large amounts of energy from the breaking down of carbohydrates in the presence of oxygen.
Word & symbol equation of anaerobic respiration
Glucose + oxygen ENZYMES carbon dioxide + water + energy

ENZYMES
C6 H12 O6 (aq) + 6O2 (g) 6CO2 (g) + 6H2O (l) + 2830KJ/mol

Uses of energy released from respiration

1. It is used to maintain a constant body temperature
2. It is used during active transport, in the selective reabsorption of vital minerals
3. It is used in the synthesis of macromolecules from micromolecules e.g. synthesis of proteins from amino
acids
4. It is used during mitotic cell division which results in the growth of an organism
5. It is used during transmission of nerve impulses

Anaerobic respiration
It is the release of fairly small amounts of energy from the breaking down of carbohydrates in the absence of oxygen.
Word & symbol equations of anaerobic respiration

(In plants)
ENZYMES
Glucose carbon dioxide + ethanol + energy

ENZYMES
C6 H12 O6 (aq) + CO2 (g) + C2 H5 OH (l) + 118KJ/mol

(In animals)
ENZYMES
Glucose lactic acid + energy

ENZYMES
C6 H12 O6 (aq) + C2H3CHOHCOOH (g) + --------------+ 118KJ/mol

Difference between Aerobic & Anaerobic respiration

Aerobic Respiration Anaerobic Respiration

Occurs in the presence of oxygen Occurs in the absence of oxygen

Occurs in the mitochondrion Occurs in the cytoplasm matrix
Releases fairly large amounts of energy Releases fairly small amounts energy
Releases CO2 and H2O as by-products Releases ethanol & lactic acid as a by product

Fermentation
It is the release of fairly small amounts of energy from breaking down of carbohydrates by extra -cellular enzymes of
microorganisms in the absence of oxygen
Both the word & symbol equation of fermentation are similar to that of anaerobic respiration in plants.
ENZYMES
Glucose carbon dioxide + ethanol + energy
ENZYMES
C6 H12 O6 (aq) + CO2 (g) + C2 H5 OH (l) + 118KJ/mol

ACTIVITY; Experiment to show fermentation of flour by yeast

Oil

Glucose +
Yeast Lime water
suspension

Procedure
1. Boil the water to expel the entire O2 and allow it cool
2. Use boiled water make a solution of 5% glucose & 10% suspension of yeast
3. Place 5cm of glucose solution in a test tube
4. Add 1cm of yeast suspension to the glucose in the test tube
5. Add a layer of paraffin / oil to exclude atmospheric O 2
6. Connect the apparatus as shown above
7. Follow the same instructions to prepare a control experiment. This time use yeast suspension that has been
boiled to kill yeast cells & denature enzymes
8. Wait for 15minutes before taking observations. The start of the experiment may be shown by bubbles escaping
into lime water
- In the case the experiment takes long to commence, warm the mixture in a warm water bath for 5minutes at 30 0C

Results:
 The bubbles of the gas from the living yeast will turn lime water milky showing that CO 2 is released.

 In the control set the lime water will not turn milky because the enzymes in the yeast cells were denatured
by boiling therefore no fermentation took place

How Lactic Acid is produce in muscles during exercise

During exercise, the O2 supply may be insufficient to meet the energy demand. When this happens the cells produce
energy by anaerobic respiration, lactic acid is produced as a by product. The accumulation of lactic acid causes
muscles fatigue but is eventually reduced as oxygen intake returns to normal after the period of exercise. This shortfall
of oxygen is called “Oxygen debt” and can be repaid by increased O 2 intake. i.e. the person will continue to breathe
fast & deep in order to draw more O2 into the lungs. This O2 will be used to oxidize lactic acid to carbon dioxide & water

The Graph Showing Effect of Exercise on the Lactic Acid Concentration of Blood.

Normal period of O2 debt normal